Reflective Research Assignment
With a
group you will identify the four main issues you believe you face as a member
of your culture or generation.
First,
let’s look at two examples from 2 cultures in this class:
Example: The
Westernization of traditional cultures.
Thanks to the King
Abdullah Scholarship program, more Saudi students than ever before are
venturing away from their homeland to seek an education in Western nations.
Along with education comes exposure to a very different culture. Some people
worry that this will result in the westernization of the traditional culture of
Saudi Arabia. What do you think and feel about this? Has your time in the U.S.
and exposure to Western culture changed anything about you? How do your elder
family members feel about this dramatic shift? Are there any people that oppose
the KASP? What traditional values are at risk? Do you think it will change the
future of your nation?
Example: The changing
roles of women in the UAE
The role of women in the United Arab Emirates has advanced greatly in recent years, making the UAE a leader
in women's rights in the Arab
world. Though there were few
opportunities for women outside the home before 1960, the discovery of oil led
to advancement in women's position. The UAE constitution guarantees equality
between men and women in areas including legal status, claiming of titles, and
access to education.
Please note that an issue is not always a problem. It can be a positive
change that still requires adjustment from people.
You will choose one
of these issues (please choose the one that interests you the most!) to be your
inspiration for a reflective research assignment.
What is
“reflective research” and how does it compare to traditional research?
Well, I am glad you asked! J
Traditional research often
involves reading articles related to a specific topic in order to help find an
answer to a question or problem. The focus of traditional research is on outside
resources which are professionally published. For example, a traditional
research question may be “Do students perform better on tests when they take
notes with pen and paper or on computer?” You would go to the library, try to
locate as many articles and studies related to this topic that you could find,
read them all and then write a paper reflecting on what you have learned.
Reflective research
on the other hand, asks you to explore a topic or issue of particular relevance
to you and then share opinions supported by personal life experience and
experiences of people you know. You
would reflect critically on your personal opinion and experience, interview
peers, friends and relatives on the subject, and then write a thoughtful paper
reflecting on what you learned.
You will most likely be asked to do both kinds of
research in your university career. Please do not think of reflective research
as just talking about yourself. Like tradition research, reflective research
involves careful planning, critical thinking and a professional approach to
writing.
Christina will give additional instruction on using direct
quotes in writing.
Reflective Research
Assignment Requirements
Answer the following
questions:
1.
Why do you consider the issue you chose to be
one of the biggest issues facing members of your culture today? Include
specific examples of how this issue has affected your life personally and the
lives of your friends and family.
2.
What is the history of this issue? How have
things changed and why? What are peoples’ reactions to the change? Do you think
the change is for the better?
Conduct Interviews:
3.
Interview at least 3 people.
One must be a peer, one must be an elder.
I would prefer if you interviewed at least
one person who is currently living in your home country. An older relative,
such as a grandparent, would be a good candidate to satisfy this requirement.
Prepare a minimum of 5 questions to ask
each interviewee. Interview questions must be approved by Christina.
Include quotes from your interviewees in your
paper.
Paper Requirements
·
Your written reflective research assignment must
be 3+ pages.
·
It must include direct quotes from your
interviewees (at least 5).
·
It must be typed in a Word document.
·
Font: Arial
·
Font size: 12
·
Spacing: Double
Due Date
Your Reflective Research paper is due on 5/1/2012.
On 4/24 you will have time for 1:1 meetings with Christina
to work on your paper.
If you have not already visited USD’s writing center, you
will be required to do so for this paper.
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